Train-indicator for railroad-stations



- (No Model.)

y s. L. PALMER.

'Train Indicator for Railroad Stations.

No. 241,411 Patehted May 10,1881.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

w/m 6 0/7 I BY S f I ATTORNEYS.

N. PETERS, PMtoLiuwgnpher, Washington, D4 C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC SIDNEY L. PALMER, OF SERENA, ILLINOIS.

TRAIN-INDICATOR FOR RAILROAD-STATIONS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 241,411, dated May 10, 1881.

Application filed January 27, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom "it may concern Be it known that I, SIDNEY L. PALMER, of Serena, La Salle county, Illinois, have invented a new and Improved Train-Indicator for Railroad Stations, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to enable telegraph operators at railroad-depots to remain at the operating-tables and have in full view the tracks and switches at or near the stations, thereby facilitating the work of noting and telegraphing the approach of trains, and securing more perfect safety from accidents.

To insure a clear understanding of the object and pnrposeof myinvention,itshould be known that an operator at a station is responsible for the switches, and is required to telegraph the approach of trains. Besides this he has frequently to answer inquiries from other stations as to Whether certain trains are approaching, and usually attends to the ordinary telegraph business. To watch the track he must frequently leave his table, especially i t the track is curved, so that his work is not only interrupted, but there is more or less risk ot'its being improperly done.

My invention consists in an arrangement of reflecting-mirrors, which convey tothe operators table a picture of the track extending in both direct-ions from the station.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a railroad-depot, partially broken open to show the interior arrangements according to my invention, the track in front being in transverse section, and Fig.2 is a horizontal section of the reflecting-box.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A is the reflectin g-box, placed in front of the depot-buildin g,at a suitable elevation above the track. This box is apertured at opposite sides, and there are fitted within thebox two mirrors, 7) I), placed at an angle ot'forty-fi ve degrees behind the apertures, so as to reflect toward the depotbuilding an d at right angles to the track. With in the building is a mirror, 0, placed in the line of reflection from mirrors 1), and inclined at a suitable angle for reflecting to a mirror, d, that is placed above the operator as he sits at the table. There is thus brought to the eye of the operator a picture of the track in both directions from the station so that the approach of trains is readily observed, and the switches can be observed night or day. The view given to the operator is that of two parallel tracks appearing to extend from him, and two trains approaching at once would be seen, as shown at D, the train at the left of the operator being theone coming from that direction.

This arrangement is simple, inexpensive, and most efficient for the purposes named. It is evident that the reflecting-box, being elevated, will take in a'longer view ofan uneven or curved track than could be seen by a person standing on the track.

Having thus described myinvention, I claim as new an d desire to secure by Letters Patcnt- In train-indicators for railroad-stations, the reflecting-box A, arranged in fron t of and above thedepot-building,'apertured at opposite sides, and provided with mirrors b I), placed at an angle of ninety degrees to each other, in combination with the mirrors 0 d, arranged with relation to the operators tableeand the mirrors I), as and for the purpose specified.

SIDNEY LAVERN PALMER. Witnesses DANIEL MASON, Dr. '1. W. CHASE. 

